Kaduna government spends over N1 billion on scholarships in three years

Governor Uba Sani’s administration has put over N1 billion into scholarships, student loans, and educational support programs in the last three years.

This money has helped many students in the state gain access to higher education and has made it easier for them to handle school costs, according to the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki.

The commissioner shared this news while speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday. He called education a key part of Governor Uba Sani’s plan to develop human capital in the state.

One major step the administration took was signing an Executive Order to cut tuition fees by 50 percent at all Kaduna State-owned tertiary schools. This move is meant to make higher education more affordable and reachable for students from different backgrounds.

Mr. Maiyaki noted that the state government spent N493.27 million on overseas scholarships for 42 students studying in important fields like medicine, computer science, cybersecurity, and engineering.

He also mentioned that N425.52 million has been given out in local scholarships to help students from low-income families studying in schools around the country.

The Commissioner added that the government has set aside N105 million for its student loan program, and N27.25 million has gone to support law graduates with registration fees for the Nigerian Law School.

Mr. Maiyaki said the overall effect of lowering tuition fees, giving out scholarships, and offering student loans shows Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to breaking down financial barriers to education. He wants to strengthen human capital development and create chances for the next generation of leaders in Kaduna State.

He pointed out that the government’s investment in education aims to build a skilled workforce that can drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development. The goal is to ensure that no deserving student misses out on higher education because of money issues.

The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board, Yahaya Saleh Ibrahim, gave more details. He said the scholarship program has helped over 21,106 students studying in more than 40 higher institutions. These include federal and state universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of health technology, and nursing schools.

“The Kaduna State Scholarship Scheme under Governor Uba Sani has had amazing growth and change over the past three years. Kaduna is the first state in Nigeria to offer both scholarships and student loans, giving thousands of young people better access to higher education,” Mr. Ibrahim, a professor, said.

He added that Kaduna State has become a national example in educational support by being the first state in Nigeria to run both scholarship and student loan programs on a wide scale.

“What makes this initiative even better is its flexible repayment plan. This allows students to pick repayment plans that fit their situations, helping them focus on their education without worrying about heavy financial stress,” he explained.

The effects of this program are already clear for many beneficiaries in the state. Al’Ameen Abdul Waheed, a student in the Department of Geography at Kaduna State University (KASU), thanked the state government for its support. He said the scholarship scheme is a lifeline for many students and their families.

“My parents and I don’t worry about paying my tuition fees anymore because the Kaduna State Scholarship Scheme is here to help me. This has taken a huge weight off my family, and I’m very thankful for this chance,” he said.